Thu Sep 19 07:40:53 UTC 2024: ## Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Grid Violate International Law, UN Says
**KYIV** – The United Nations has condemned Russia’s repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, stating that they likely violate international humanitarian law. This comes as Ukraine braces for a harsh winter with the threat of widespread power outages looming.
A report by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) examined nine waves of strikes between March and August 2024, focusing on the impact on civilian infrastructure. The report highlights the devastating consequences of these attacks, including widespread power outages, disruptions to water and sanitation systems, and threats to public health and education.
“There are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple aspects of the military campaign to damage or destroy Ukraine’s civilian electricity and heat-producing and transmission infrastructure have violated foundational principles of international humanitarian law,” the report states.
The HRMMU visited seven power plants damaged by attacks and 28 communities affected by the strikes. The report specifically points out the vulnerability of urban areas, where most homes rely on centralized heating and hot water systems that depend on electric pumps. Without emergency power, millions of residents could face severe hardships, especially during the winter.
The report further highlights the potential for mass displacement, with energy-related issues becoming the second most common reason for Ukrainians to flee the country during the summer. Experts predict power outages lasting between four and 18 hours per day this winter.
While Ukraine considers the targeting of its energy system a war crime, Russia maintains that power infrastructure is a legitimate military target and dismisses the charges against its officials.
This report adds to the growing evidence of Russia’s disregard for civilian infrastructure and its potential impact on the Ukrainian population. As winter approaches, the consequences of these attacks are expected to be felt even more acutely.
First Piper 